Reset boundaries…

With the world of work constantly changing whether we are in the office working from home we need to reset the boundaries.

Several companies are embracing the freedom of flexible working and therefore setting no boundaries and this comes with its advantages and disadvantages. When we first started dress down Friday there was tremendous fear as no guidelines made people feel nervous. However you also had individuals who could not wait to express their personality through their clothes.

By totally giving employees autonomy as to where they work, we have in effect like a sandcastle let the walls come tumbling down. Without any walls we have created a system open to abuse, of working too long or too little.

Routines and processes are the keys to success, repeated behaviours lead us to goals. By introducing Tuesday as the day at the office, people can work their week around the day they need to be at the office by establishing a routine that works for them. The fluidity of saying come in on a day that works for you, is no boundary or guideline, and no routines or rhythms get established.

Boundaries can also be liberating as we are inclined to use the whole space available. Professional footballers don’t just follow the ball they spread out and use the whole pitch. They each know their positions and the pitch is very clearly marked out with boundaries.

It is known that you work longer hours at home than at the office, so establish some cut off points set boundaries as to when your team can send emails. Agreeing the tech that is acceptable and unacceptable eg. WhatsApp groups not for work?

Bréne Brown uses the phrase “What’s OK? and what’s not OK?” – just these two simple questions might be all you need to reset team boundaries.

Please do get in touch bev@nuggetsoflearning.co.uk